Torpedo Deep-sixed Swimming Career

Five-time Olympic champion Ian Thorpe (a.k.a. "the human torpedo") retired from competitive swimming Tuesday at the age of 24, saying breaking records "wasn't as inspiring as it should have been."

Thorpe, who held a news conference at a hotel in Sydney, Australia, said he decided at "2:53 on Sunday afternoon" not to swim at next year's world championships in nearby Melbourne and to end his pro swimming career.

"None of my goals included breaking any more world records. I knew how to do it, but it wasn't as inspiring as it should have been."

Thorpe, who won five Olympic gold medals and 11 world titles, did not entirely rule out a comeback.

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